Gratitude Album + a request. :)

Last year, the week before Thanksgiving I had these big plans to make a minibook to house pages that our family could fill out each year with what we were grateful for. Unfortunately we had just moved into this house two weeks prior to Thanksgiving and I greatly overestimated how much time I would have to create something like that. (Plus, I was sleep deprived from unpacking boxes, trying to get Christmas decorations up and having a little guy who was recovering from a nasty ear infection). So, after creating the cover of my album, I set it aside, forgotten, and eventually threw all the product I'd pulled for the album into a box to look at another day. And that new day came about two days ago. 

Here is the album:

It's a 6x9 Making Memories album that I painted with Ranger crackle paint and embellished with a MME rub-on title and several ribbons. Pretty simple. 

Supplies:

Album (Making Memories)

Velvet Scalloped Ribbon (Creative Cafe)

Decorative Tape (Heidi Swapp)

Rub-on (My Mind's Eye)

Other: Ric Rac and String

And here's the title page, defining my intent and use of this minibook:

Supplies:

Patterned Paper (SEI, Making Memories)

Title (Diecut with Cricut, Graphically Speaking cartridge)

Labels (Creating Keepsakes kit components)

Chipboard Monogram (Li'l Davis)

Stamp (Define Your Life by Stampin' Up)

Stamp Ink (Kiwi Kiss by Stampin' Up)

Sticker (SEI)

Other: Buttons, String, Staples and Circle Punches

I completely reworked the title page. I pulled out the page I started from last year and it was junk. It was only started, not finished and it just didn't capture the feeling I was going for at all. I feel really good looking at my title page now. :)  I'm quite looking forward to including this album into my family's scrapbook album library. 

I know I've mentioned it before but I am quite smitten with the new Graphically Speaking cartridge by Cricut. I just can't use it enough. So many cool designs there. Payton even made some diecuts today for one of her crafting projects. I love that we can play in here together. 

Come back on Thursday for a peek at this year's gratitude pages in the album. :)

Now, onto the request portion of my post tonight. :)

I'm working on some ideas and videos for this next year and I would like to know what you all would like to see in regards to the Silhouette die-cutting machine (or die-cutting machines in general). What ideas/techniques would you like to know more about. Just leave a comment here on this post with your request. I would so appreciate it!

Have a fabulous evening!

Comments

[Mary MacAskill]

You are the queen of all things scrapbook-y. As if I didn't all ready feel guilty enough about not having a start on my Xmas album, now this?? LOL! Truly a great idea and I love that you are involving the family in creating it. I have been loving your ideas for die-cutting and you are actually the reason I am impatiently waiting for my Silhouette machine, so I can try out as many new things as possible with it. I love reading about any ideas with the Cuttlebug too. Especially since I bought it and I have only embossed a couple things which actually looked quite awful and I had to toss them in the garbage.

Did you ever do like a Basics video. As in, this is how you get started with die-cutting?? LOL! What else, what else...you may have mentioned it before, but do any of these machines cut chipboard? Also, I wouldn't mind seeing one cartridge/folder used in multiple ways. I am just starting to collect the tools, so I'd like to stretch my scrap budget as much as possible.

[Carla]

Great album Nichol.Love the papers for this theme (I was just using that paper line myself this weekend)!!!
Regarding die cuts, I just got the Slice. Love it, but I need ways/ideas on how to dress up the die cuts a bit. I've thought of embossing, chalking, glittering, etc. But would still like to see other ways of making stand out more...not so plain!
Thanks!

[Deneen]

Well I don't know about the silhouette but if you ever do any other video's I would love to see how you creat your album covers. I especially like the Thankful one and the Christmas one from last year. I totally want to make the thankful one now LOL

[ShellyJ]

Anything that relates to the silhouette would be great! I have had it sitting here for... well, a really long time! and I haven't touched it because I just don't have the drive to learn how to use it. shame on me!

[Dani]

Ooh I'm so glad you asked! I am seriously considering getting a silhouette, but I really want to see what it does...! I guess, any ideas on how to use it to create customized lettering would be my top choice, but really, I'd love to see just about anything. I'd like to learn more about how you can use fonts from your computer with it. :)

[lauravegas]

gorgeous album cover nichol! love the look of the crackle paint on there! i still have my "thankful for" album that i started last year (it was the same MM album and actually for an assignment) ... and still have not finished. i should really pull that out and complete it.

and as for video's ... i love seeing anything. i always seem to learn something ... even if i don't have a silhouette or anything. lol!

[Sandi]

Nichol

I really like the way you made this album and your covers too.

Die cut machines in general. I would love to see how you alter the die-cuts. I am sure you use some really cool ideas. Like embossing both dry and heat, ink, paint, chalk, pens, pencils, sewing. Or maybe something new I would just have to buy right away...LOL

I really love how you use die-cuts on cards and layouts. Maybe something like the layout with butterflies you did at Cornerstone would be nice for others to learn how to layer. I personally have really enjoyed seeing the things your have created with GS cart and your bug.

I hope I helped with a few ideas:)
Sandi N.

[Vera]

Hi, I have recently discovered your blog and it really inspires me. I'd really love to see more info on how to use the silhouette. I really love how you use die cutting machines. I have both the expressions and big shot, and I recently bought the silhouette which I need to learn how to use. Thanks so much!